Machine for mounting spouts in the tops of containers



972,184 MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SPOUTS IN THE TOPS OF CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 29, 1957 C. ANDREW Feb. 21, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES A NDRE W q 27 M HIS ATTORNEYS 1 Feb. 21, 1961 c. ANDREW 2,972,184

MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SPOUTS IN THE TOPS OF CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 29, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

86 INVENTORf 4 as CHARLES ANDREW B), m FM W 41k I HIS .dTTORNEYS C. ANDREW Feb. 21, 1961 MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SPOUTS IN THE TOPS 0F CONTAINERS Filed NOV. 29, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 N v .ww

INVENTOR. CHARLES ANDREW Y am/Z; My 7 MS ATTORNEYS 0. ANDREW Feb. 21, 1961 MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SPOUTS IN THE TOPS 0F CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 29, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 O NEY INVENTOR. 15L 5 ANDREW 1 4m: HIS dTT BY/ M1,,

Feb. 21, 1961 0. ANDREW 2,

MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SPOUTS IN THE TOPS OF CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 29, 1957 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. CHARLES ANDREW Y H I t 2 E & gag f 80 'ms ATTORNEYS C. ANDREW Feb. 21, 1961 MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SPOUTS IN THE TOPS OF CONTAINERS Filed NOV. 29, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 8

FIG. 7

FIG. 9

INVENTOR. CHARLES ANDREW BY MM fig 8 Q2 32; 34. .2. f ms ATTORNEYS United States Patent MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SPOUTS IN THE TOPS OF CONTAINERS Charles Andrew, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor toAndrew &

Waitkens Machine Co. Inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 29, 1957, Ser. No. 699,702 9 Claims. (Cl. 29-208) This invention relates to machines for mounting nozzles or spouts in the tops or caps of containers. More particularly, the invention relates to automatic machinery for inserting or applying nozzle or spout members which are elastic in the nature of the molded polyethylene, rubber or the like, in or to apertures provided in the tops, caps or heads of cans or the like.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to which the nozzle or spout members can be fed en masse, and to which the cans are fed in a continuous line, and which will operate automatically to mount the nozzle or spout members in apertures provided one in each can top.

The apparatus of the invention is used in line with container-filling apparatus and also with container packaging apparatus, the contents being filled through the apertures in the tops or heads of the cans prior to being fed into the present apparatus. Both the filling apparatus and the packaging machinery operate at a comparatively high rate of production and it is an object of my present invention to provide apparatus for applying the spout members to the containers which will not lower the production rate of the apparatus with which it is used.

In packaging certain household products such, for

example, as liquid detergents, the liquid is placed in a ethylene, or some material which is elastic in the nature of polyethylene, rubber or the like.

line, keeping the projections facing in the same direction in which they have been rearranged, and successively mounting them in the tops of the cans or the containers, such cans also being fed successively into axial alignment with the respective spout members. Advantageously, the feeding means turns the spout members into upright position and the cans are also fed in upright position, inasmuch as the cans have previously been filled.

The invention will be better understood by considering the accompanying drawings showing one embodiment thereof, together with the description following.

In these drawings:

Fig. l is a view in elevation of the apparatus as a whole;

Fig. 1a is a view in elevation of a spout member with the captive cap removed from its nozzle and showing the spout member mounted in the aperture in the head or a The spout member is frictionally mounted and held in the aperture in the head of the can and is provided with a discharge passage of appropriate size depending upon the nature of the contents of the container. The nozzle portion of the spout member is closed by a cap of the same material which frictionally fits the nozzle and which is permanently connected or attached to the body of the spout member by a narrow strip of the same material of which the spout member is molded. When the cap is in closed position this connection between the cap and the body of the spout member projects outwardly in a curve and renders the device non-symmetrical. In the trade such spouts are referred to as captive plugs, meaning that while the cap can be removed from the nozzle it is always attached to the spout member and cannot be lost or mislaid. j

In accordance with my. present invention I have provided means for receiving these spout members in a helter-skelter mass and continuously rearranging them so thatthe tops of the spouts all face in a given direction and so that the projections or connecting portions (sometimes referred to as handl'es") face in either of two directions, the spout members thus rearranged being'fed forward in a continuous line, and means are provided for successively removing the spout members from this can, the upper portion of the can being shown in central section; I

Fig. 1b is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the cap in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of some of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, with the outer member broken away so as to show the interior;

Fig. 3a is a detailed vertical section taken on line 3a3a of Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged detailed section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a detailed vertical section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a similar section taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a similar section taken on line 99 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the chuck.

The construction of the spout member and manner of its mounting in the head of the can is shown in Figs.

otherwise.

or top portions are of sheet metal and although the body portion 1 maybe of the same material the can under consideration is of the squeeze type, and hence the body portion 1 is made of a flexible material, for example,

I such as is used for making plastic bottles, the present can being used as a container for a liquid detergent.

In the head 2 there is provided a central circular aperture 4 and the spout member, designated generally as 5, is mounted in this aperture. The spout member comprises a cylindrical body portion having a flange 7 to seat on top of the can head and above this flange a cylindrical nozzle portion 8 of a smaller diameter. The nozzle has a small aperture 9 therein somewhat less than one-thirtysecond of an inch in diameter. A cap l0 is recessed to -fit overnozzle8'and closes the aperture 9. Cap 10 is permanently attached to the nozzle by means of a'con-' nection 11 which joins the upper portion of the cap with flange 7.

Nozzle 5 is made of molded plastic such as polyethylene or a material which is elastic in the nature of polyethyleene, rubber or the-like. ,The cap 10 and connection 11 are molded simultaneously with the remaining portion of the spout member, connection 11 being a thin narrow ribbon which is readily flexible to allow the application of thecapto the nozzle.- Whenthe cap is in closed the upper surface of head 2'surrounding aperture 4; This:

'of pocket-formingmembers 25, 265which 816{'b6l168 1h'i 3! position the connection 11 proiects.,,laterally from, the. spout member in a sweepingcurve, being referred to as the handle, and renders the spout member unsymmetrical.

In order that spout 5 may he securely -mountedain:-theaperture 4 and in such a manner as-to provide agliquidtight joint therewith, .thediametertof the body portion ;.6.. of the spout is madeto correspond with the-:diameternofr aperture 4 and flange-7 is set-in, tight il'filfitiODShiIYzWli-hf.

10 is accomplished by molding a small; external bead 12.011, body portion6 at .a distancebelow thefiange land corresponding. to the thicknessof head 12. 1

Because of the elastic.nature:of polyethylenathe}spoutr member may be mounted in aperture 4, merely by, applyinggsuitable'pressure to the=top of1;cap;.10 with the'cap in closed position, as shown in Fig. 1b. Such pressureforces head 12 which is lsomelwhat largerin'diameterrth'an aperture 4 to contractsuificiently .to permit it to -squeeze through the, aperture andzthen expand.into-;contact with? the lower surface of head] around-atheperimetersof the aperture.

Referring now to Figs. 1-3the apparatuspha's-a frame 13 of any suitable construction which supports it at a; convenient distance from the fio'or.,' Above-thisframe and suported by a column 14 projecting therefrom there" is a spout rearranging mechanism: indicated, generally by. numeral 15 which isprovided with a1 hopper, 16 into which the spout members-are thrown in a heltjer-lskelter. mass. Mechanism 15 rearranges the spoutmembersgsoi that they are discharged at the bottom into a downwardly and angularly inclined feed chute 17 with thea-topsof'; thespoutsall facing outwardly, that is,1-. t o th e leftiin ;Fig.

1, and also withthe projecting connectionsiorrhandles 1111. facing generally in. either of two directions, that is,wupwardly or downwardly (Figs. 2 and 3).

Chute-17 curves into a'horizontal position atits lower end and delivers the continuous line of spout members 5;- to arotary mechanism indicated generally by numeral 18 which removes the spout members successively one at a time from the lower end-of chute 17 and moves them into vertical alignmentbeneath'one :ofaseries'of vertically reciprocating chucks 19, there being four of. these chucks. Three of these are visible in Fig. 1 and the. fourth is diametricallyopposite the ,middle; chuck. Chucks 19 are mountedon the'lower ends of fourplung ers 20which project downwardly from a CYHBdliCfli'hQHSi ing 21 containing mechanism by which the-plungers-are; moved vertically upwardly and downwardly and at the; sametime are rotated bodily about thezcentre of a:carrier; within this housing.-

The cans or containers looming-from the fillingmaw i chine where they have been filled with-the liquid deter gent or other contents through their apertures 4, are moved into the apparatus of the present invention onan endless conveyor 22, between fixed guides 23=to main:- tain the cans in a continuous line :on the conveyor'. A star wheel timing devicef-24 is provided at the leftof' endless conveyor 22 to. separate the-cans and feed them one at a time to a seriesof four pairs-of pocket-forming; members 25, 26 (Figs. 1 and;4 member 25"of each pair'being fixed and member26 of each, pair pivoted.

These pairs of pocket-forming members 25, 26 are arranged one pair vertically beneath; each; of thetonr plungers 20 and, they rotate -with these;plungers,;.both1 pocket members and plungers being mounted on a ,-c;om mon rotary head in a manner to be described lateron. As each spout member 5 arrives at the point of tangency between the circularpath of-plungers 20:;and therotary mechanism 18 .(Fig. 4), oneofuhe:plungers zztl lowers; its chuck memberv 19 which picks up the=,spout ;member; y f i tio e g m nt-therewith, as. will .be escribedn. Theeontinued rotation of therotary head-, movesthe pair..-

.plungerrand chuck in ,a:;clockwise diIZection; -.(Fig;.4) ,z-JB

andbefore the fixed pocket member 25 of thispairmoves into the path of conveyor 22 a can, such as the can A in Fig. 4 has been released by the star wheel timer 24 and carried forward by the endless belt so as to be in front of this fixed pocket member 25 by which it is swept from the belt.

As, the, rotatiomofi the. pairs of .pocketmemhers continues, the pivotedipocketgmember, 26offithe pair under of the star- --whe,el,-24.:the..successivei;fixed.pocketemembers 25 sweep them from belt Hand onto the surface of a semi-circular fixedsupporting'plate 27 {Fig 4).

The spout member has now been advanced from the position a, thepointof tangency referred to, to the position-b where-it is'invertical alignmenLwithand above the aperture in the can at' positionB: The canand cap members are" then moved -bodily in a circular path to the-can position --C "which isdiametrically opposite thespout position a: At canposition C, the plunger 20 is moved downwardly'and' forces the'spout member into the aperture in thecan'head.

Thereafter-,- upon -the'continued rotation of the pairs of-pocket members 25;'26 the can with the spout'applie to its head is discharged, as-shown-at-* can position D onto -a-continuouslyrotating fiat discharge disc 28? Such" discharge-movement onto-disc 28-is-efiected by means of a vertically positioned plate 29 having a rounded outer" end;'-one-of which is fixedtothe-support-foreach of the-movable pocket rnembers 25; Consequently; as the pocket-j member '25 at can position l) swings :to open Position; member 29 engagestheside of the can and" pushes it onto disc-28. A=semi-circular-guide Midisposed above disc 28- prevents=it from leaving the disc until it passes :theend- 31 of this guide at which point theicans aresuccessively" received 'on a discharge con-- veyorior other support;

"-Referring'now-tothe rearranging mechanism 15; shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, this mechanism comprises the hopper 16,; a, s'tationaryhollow-body portion :32. and a hollow rotary.drum orreceptacle- 33,- together' with a driving- 1'110i01134i Body32i with hopper'16 are supported by verticalemember 35 *which terminates at the bottom in a .foot- 3t5;bolted to a-brack'et 37 which is mounted upontheupper end-of column 14. Driving motor 34 is bolted to an extension oflfoot member 36and has a driving pulley38rwhich by means of an endless belt 39. drives a larger pulley '40 .whichis arranged on a-short shaft 41' suitably journalledinbearings supported by parts which aremounted-on brackets 37.

there-is .-a:srnall' pulley 143,land an endless belt 44 is trained around this pulley and a cylindrical surface 45 formed on rotatable portion or drum 33' of the rearranging mech autism; Thusboth roller 42' and the rotating drum 33 are-continuously driven by means of electricmotor 34.

T he,;rotarydrum 33 has a shaft '46 which rotates in:;bearings; one;of whic'nris shown'at 46a.

body portion 32 of the rearranging mechanism.

The-outer or 'ieft-hand face of-rotary drum or receptacle 33,1asyieWedinFig; l, terminates in 'a vertical flange- 48 .of considerablydargerdiameter than drum 33 (Fig.2).

SapportedJn-parallel relationto flange 48 there is acirculat; disc or: plate 49,which is spaced outwardly from-- thjeiace of-flangeASbya distance which is slightly greater Spaced-inwardly =from'the edgeao flplate :49 there-ism: circular: ronnaof: uniformly spaced controls :members or the: two; pocket;members engaginggthe- The secondbearing;(not:-z:shown) isv mounted-within the stationary pins 50, these members having outwardly positionedv cylindrical shanks which are mounted in apertures 51 in plate 49.

These control members are all of the same shape and each has a short cylindrical portion 52 (Fig. 5) somewhat larger than the cylindrical shank so as to form a shoulder 53 which is positioned against the inner surface of plate 49. Extending inwardly from cylindrical portion 52 there is a portion 54 having the shape of a truncated cone having its smaller diameter at the inner end of the cylindrical portion 52.

Extending inwardly from the larger diameter of truncated conical portion 54 there is a second truncated conical portion 55 reversely positioned with respect to portion 54 and having its smaller diameter joined to an inwardly extending cylindrical portion 56 which is smaller in diameter than the outer cylindrical portion of the pin. While the inner ends of cylindrical portions 56 may touch the outer surface of flange 48, they are preferably spaced slightly therefrom.

Because of the particular shape of the control members or pins 50, just described, there is formed between each pair of these members a space 57 the geometrical outline of which is such that a spout member 5 can pass'through this space only if the cap thereof faces outwardly, that is, towards plate 49 (Fig. 5).

The radial position of the circular row of control members 50 is such as to leave a space both above and below such row. These spaces are designated respectively as 58 and 59 (Figs. 3 and 3a). The cap members 5 are in helter-skelter arrangement in the upper space 58, and as the flange 48 and spaced plate 49 rotate, the spouts tumble about in the upper space 58 until they are rearranged with their caps facing outwardly and then they pass through these spaces 57 between the various adjacent pairs of the control members 50 into the lower space 59.

In order to close the slot-like opening extending around the flange 48 and circular plate 49 a stationary steel band 60 is provided. This band is supported at its right end by means of-a screw 61 on the right face of a stationary member 62 which is fixed to the upper end of bracket 37. At its left end, band 60 is similarly supported by means of a knurled thumb screw 63 which is threaded into a member 64 also mounted upon the upper part of bracket 37 and in line with member 62. The upper surfaces of members 62 and 64 are curved to conform to the curvature of the edges of flange 48 and circular plate .49.

The spout members which have passed the control members 50 into the lower space 59 and are, consequently, arranged with their caps facing outwardly are supported upon the curved upper surfaceof members 62 and 64, and the surface of roller 42 as well as the right hand portion of band 60 adjacent member 62 (Figs. 3 and 3a). The spout members-may arrange themselves 7 in a continuous row extending from the right along these surfaces towards the discharge opening or slot which will be described presently. Their projection or handle portions 11 may extend in any direction and have to be aligned so as to project either upwardly ordownwardly in order to pass through the discharge slot.

The general shape of rotary portion 33 of the remay be' seen in Fig. 2, slopes on its lower side from the diameter 66 of its inner edge to the diameter 67 which is the intersection with flange 48. Consequently, the spout members which are placed en masse in the hopper 16 and descend into its body portion 32 flow downwardly' along the inclined bottom surface of this portion and are received on sloping'surface 65 (Fig. 3)-

l-fim i t e 3. he P9 2 r ss Bis 6. whence they are rearranged by the control members 50, as previously described, and then pass into the lower space 59.

The discharge slot referred to above is a vertical passageway designated by numeral 68 (Figs. 3 and 6) and the spouts move from space 59 through this opening into the upper end of feed chute 17. The front portion of this discharge opening is narrower than the rear portion, the

face of flange 7 to the inner end of the spout member.-

In other words, the dimensions of discharge opening 68 are such as to permit the spout members to move freely therein. The upper end of discharge opening 68 is slightly wider than the lower end.

The sides of the inner portion of discharge opening 68 are formed by the left-hand vertical edge 69 of member 62 and the right-hand sloping edge 70 of member 64, while the forward or narrower portion of the discharge opening 68 is formed between the left-hand vertical edge 71 of a pivoted member 72, and the right-hand sloping edge 73 of a member 74 which is fixed upon the outer face of member 64. Member 72 is pivoted at 75 to the outer face of 72 for a purpose which will presently appear.

j It was mentioned that the discharge opening 68 is wider at the top than at the bottom. The purpose of this is to facilitate the entrance of the spout members. To additionally encourage the spout members to enter this discharge opening, the leading edge of the inner pottion of opening 68 is widened still farther. Such widening is produced by gently sloping the upper edge 76 of member 62 above vertical edge 69.

Thus, edge 76 is shown cut away a considerable distance to the right (Fig. 3) so that the spout members which are being moved along the upper curved edge of member 62 by the clockwise rotation of flange 48 and circular plate 49 pass onto the sloping edge '76 and roll downwardly to the discharge opening 68. They are;

however, arrested by the engagement of the cap 10 of each of the spout members 5 with the upper horizontal edge of pivoted member 72. This edge, however, is joined with vertical edge 71 by a smoothly rounded corner so as to permit the spout members to more easily enter the discharge opening.

The left end of pivoted member 72 is urged downing each revolution of this plate the left end of pivoted,

member 72 is raised out of engagement with stop pin 78 and then allowed to snap downwardly and strike the stop pm.

This movement raises the spout member whose cap is in engagement with the upper horizontal edge of member 72 and any other spouts above it and tends to break: up any bridging-over of the spout members which may,

tend to form over the entrance to discharge opening 68. Also the .motion of vertical edge 71 of member 72 mengagement with the caps of spout members within the dis-.. charge opening tends to urge these members downwardly; and the jarring effect caused by the striking stop pin 78 further tends to cause the feeding of the members down-.

wardly toward the chute 17.

Since it is possible for a number ofthe spout members to simultaneously align themselves with the control members 50 and produce a considerable accnmula+- tion of the spout members in the lower space 59, provision is made for the spout members to collect at the left 7 of -discharge opening 68 and'isuch a collection .is'shown in Fig. 3. In order to-cause the spout'membersof:thisaccnmulation to feed into discharge opening 68 the con-' tinuously rotating drum or roller42 is' provided:

This drum rotates in". a circular --recess 82"formed "in? members 64 and 74. The drum .closely;fits this'recess except for approximately fits u perdefthand" quadrant which is exposedto and engages the flanges, 7'-of' the spout members. The face'of'roller 424s flush with the face of member 74;. Dueto' the clockwiserotation of drum 42and' its'knurledor other friction-producing surface, it imparts rotation to thespout members sons to turn into line with the discharge" opening 68 thoseiwhose handles 11 are not directed either upwardly or downwardly. I V

' The periodic raising of'the' left end of. pivoted member 72 also has the effect of rotating the spoutmembers so that between the effects "of rotating drum 142. and the operation of pivoted member 72; these spout members are fed successively into the discharge opening 68' with theirv connections or handles 11' facing in one or the other of the two directions, that is, upwardly or downwardly. V A cover member designated by numeral 62a (Fig. 2) is co-extensive with members 62and 74 and'is'curved along its upper edge to conform to the surface of rotary plate 49'. This cover member is preferably of Lucite, or other transparent material, so that the flow of the spout members into the discharge opening 68 may be observed. The cover member isrheld in position by means of two thumb screws 74a so that it may be readily removed: The left-hand thumb screw clamps. the left. portion of member 62a against the outer surface'of member 74, whereas a-spacing collar (Fig. 3) is provided. onv the right-hand'thumb screw in order. thatthe inner surface of the cover member may clear the pivoted member 72.

In order to prevent too large an accumulation of the. spout members at the left rotating drum 42, an arcuate insert- 83 is mounted in fixed position in the. space between the rotating flange 58 and circular plate 59. Member 83 is stationary and 'is secured to the stationary band 60by welding, or otherwise;

' Feed chute 17' at its upper end has a short, vertical portion in direct alignment with the discharge opening 68 of the rearranging mechanism. The chute then bends. to the left' (Fig. l) and descends'atyan angle of approximately 45to its lowermost position whereitbends to the horizontal and joins a pair of semi-circular guides 17d whichi are disposed in horizontal position immediately above' the rotary mechanism 18 (Fig. 4) previously red ferred to 'Feedchu'te 17 is a substantially rigid structure providing a slot-like passageway for the spout. memb'ers,.,of: substantially the same shape and dimensions as thelowerr end'ofdischarge opening 68; This structurecQmpri'sesJ two spacedparallel bars '84 (Fig. 2) which are spaced. apart toform the passageway for the body portion of the spouts, and two strips 85 which are fixed to the upper. surfaces of bars 84 and whose inner edges are more closely spaced than these bars so as to confine the spouts to'the passageway and permit their caps to project. above. On-the lower side of the passageway the spouts. slide-along a pairiof strips 86' secured to the lower surfaces of bars 84. These strips are spaced slightly from one another so as-topermit the insertion ofa prod, should'the spontmembers become jammed.- Although the spout members will ordinarily slide down-the feed chute-17 by gravity;

anelectromagnetic vibrators! maycbemounted-on the' feed chute to enhance their movement: A

The rotary spout moving -mechanism--18- (Figs. 4and, T) comprises twosuperposedsteel plates or discs; a lower disc 88- which is circular and an upper disc 89*which is provided-in itssedge with-four spout-carryingmotchfes 9 0:-

another with -the, surface of lowerdisc 88 level with the 1ower"st-rips:86-of-chute 17- so thatthe' lowermost spout member in this chute will slide easily onto the surfaceofthe disc. Q The upper surface ofnpperdisc- 89 is at 3 about-the height of the-upper edge ofthe spout member flange 7 and the upper disc is thick} enough so that the inner surface ofeach of the notches 90will 'engagethespoutmember bead-IZ on the body portion 6 (Fig. 7).

The inner half of each-f the spout carrying notches 'is semi-circular (Fig; 4) and dimensionedtoreceive' the spout member head. The edge of'upper disc 89 is cutaway as shown at-91' ona radius-which extends from the-"leading edge of each notch 90toapoint a short distance from the trailingedgerof the preceding notch90; This-leaves an arcuate space;92 along 'thehedgeof disc 89 between each of the notches 90'for thereception. of.

the spout body portion 6' sothat the foremost spout member at the bottom of chute 17 may advance into a position where its bead 12 rests against one of thesemi-arcuate edges 91. The. foremost spout-member inchute 17 (Fig. 4) is in this position;

The trailing edge 93, of each of the notches 90.:extends outwardly to the diameter ofthe lower disc 88. The spout members in feed, chute 17 are kept in a, fluid state by the forces of gravity and the, vibrator 87. Hence, when each notch 90 comes into, position opposite the end of chute 17 the foremost spout member flows or slides-to the leftslightly" so that the side of bead 12. onits body 6 engages the botom ofthe slot. The trailing edge 93 of the slot at substantially the same instant. engages'the side of the spout member and pushes :or carries it forward, that is, in the counterclockwisedirection of Fig; 4. The margin ofeach of the notches 90 is countersunk, as shown at 94 (Figs; 4 and 7) to accommo date the spout member flange 7.

In order to retain the spout members-in'the respective carrying notches 90, and to keep their handles 11 facing either forward or backward, a semi-circular guide strip 95 is mounted in close. proximityto the upper disc 89. and these are spaced from one another appropriately to receive the lower portions of cap. 10 of thespout mem: bers (Fig.7). These strips are edgewise curved and. extend from the end of feed chute. 17 to spout member position, previously designated as a, which is almost: diametrically opposite the end of feed chute 17.

Strips 95 are supported by the lower end of the feed chute and by a semi-circular bar'96' (Fig. 4) which is welded at about its center toa horizontal arm 97; arm, in turn, is fixed to a post 98 which is'supported by a'bracket 99 mounted on frame 13. Strips 95 are supportedfrom curved bar 96 by means of parts 100 which are radially arranged and are welded at their outerends to the member 96; a y

Thetwo discs 88, 89 are mounted at the upper end of a vertical shaft 101 and this shaft is rotated continuously with another vertical shaft 102 (Fig. 4) that carries. therotary head 103 which supportsthe plungers 20 and the pairs'of cam pocket members 25, 26. These two shafts are interconnected and driven at thev same rotative speedj byimechanism notshown. The arrangement is such that aseach of the 'spout-carryingimotches 90 reaches spout; position a one of the vertical "reciprocating plungers'zl) also reaches this spout position at the same instant.

The paths of the spout members and'thepathsof the 1 plungers are tangent to one another at this point and,

the actuating mechanism; for theplungers issuch that" when each'plunger is in this position ait is 'reciprocatedf downwardly to its lowermost position and the chuck '1 member 19 at its lower end frictionally engages-the spout member and promptly lifts item of the notch 90 so that thisjnotch continues to rotate emp' ty,and to remrnato. pickupanother'spoutjmember from'chute 17;;

The, construction of chuck member 19 is ;shown in Figs.-8-'10.' It's upper-or body: portion isiaih ollovv 'cylin:

'These discs are rigid members'anounted close to wonefg der which is "received uponjthe lower end104 of plunger 7 9 20 which is reduced in diameter for this purpose. A setscrew (not shown) holds the parts in assembled position.

The lower end of chuck 19 is formed to receive the cap of the spout member and to fit over at least the upper portion of its flange 7, and to also accommodate the connection or handle 11 on each spout member. Thus, the chuck is provided with two wide recesses 106 at its lower end (Figs. 9 and 10) which extend upwardly a distance sufiicient to receive the handles 11.

As the spouts descend the feed chute 17, the handles project forwardly or rearwardly and remain in the same angular position when they arrive at position a (Fig. 4). The handle of each spout member is received in one or the other of the recesses 106, depending on which way it faces. Recesses 106 are much wider than handles 11.

On each side of chuck 19 at its lower end, that is, extending between the two recesses 106, are arcuate projections and at their ends are formed arcuate surfaces 107 which are dimensioned to the maximum diameter of the flanges 7 of the spouts. At the centers of these arcuate edges 107 there are two spring-pressed gripper segments 105 also having arcuate surfaces 107a to frictionally engage the diametrically opposite edges of a spout flange 7 so as to pick up the spout member from the notch 90. These arcuate surfaces terminate upwardly in a shoulder which engages the marginal edges of flange 7.

The spring-pressed grippers 105 have suflicient radial movement to compensate for a considerable variation in diameter of the flanges 107 of difierent spout members. They are positioned in lateral slots 108 arranged at right angles to the recesses 106 and are held in position by the walls of these slots and by means of retainers 120 which are mounted on the opposite sides of the cylindrical body portions of chucks 19 (Figs. 8 and 10). Retainers 120 are held in position by means of cap screws 121. Grippers 105 are held in their slots 108 by lateral projections 122 at their upper ends which engage shoulders formed on the retainers 120. At the lower end of each retainer 120 there is a recess within which a compression spring 123 is placed which urges the gripper into engagement with the spout member.

A spout member which is about to be picked up by the chuck is centered with respect to the chuck by means of an internal conical surface 109 (Figs. 8 and 9) which terminates at its upper end in a cylindrical surface 110 which substantially fits the diameter of the cap 10. Thus, as the chuck member moves downwardly these surfaces engage the cap 10 and shift the cap on the surface of the lower disc 88 in such a way as to center the spout member precisely on the center line of plunger 20.

The reduced lower end 104 of plunger 20 extends downwardly to an internal shoulder 111 which is at the level of the top of cap 10 so that pressure is applied to this cap when the two arcuate surfaces are forced into engagement with the plunger 7, and also when the spout member is forced into the aperture in the can head at position C (Fig. 4), as previously described.

The construction of the rotary head 103 is shown more or less diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 4. As shown it comprises a thick, rigid circular plate and it will be pocket members 25 are vertical shafts 116.

The four pivoted or movable pocket members 26 are mounted on arms 117 which project horizontally from the lower ends of shafts 116, while at the upper ends of these respective shafts there are short actuating arms 118 each carrying a cam follower roller which cooperates with an internal face cam 119. 'The configuration of this cam is such as to cause the shafts 116 to pivot so as to open and close the respective pocket members 26 with respect to their fixed or stationary pocket members 25 at the proper times to admit the cans 1 from the endless conveyor 22 and to discharge them onto the rotary table 28, all as previously described.

My invention has been described in some detail in connection with one particular embodiment thereof and it will be understood that changes in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of this machine may be made and that the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for applying spoutv members to the tops of containers having apertures therein, said members each having a projection at one side thereof, a support--; ing structure, means associated with said structure forsupporting a helter-skelter mass of such members, mech* anism for rearranging said spout members so that the tops of said spouts face in a given direction and so that a said projections face in either of two directions, mecha: nism for receiving these spout members from said rearranging mechanism and for feeding the rearrangedspouts in a continuous line including means for maintaining the projections thereof facing in the directioni in which they have been rearranged and including means for turning said spouts to upright position, a'tool constructed to pick up individual spouts in-upright position with the projection thereof facing in either of said direc-' tions, 'mecham'sm fonmoving said spouts one at a time from said feeding mechanism into vertical alignment with and beneath said tool, mechanism for reciprocating said tool to cause it to pick up said spouts one at a time, mechanism for advancing said tool from said pick-up position, mechanism for feeding the containers into vertical alignment beneath said tool during such advance and mechanism for lowering said tool to cause it to force the spout member carried thereby into the aperture in the top of said container.

2. Apparatus for applying spout members to the tops of containers as set forth in claim 1 in which the mechanism for moving the spouts is arranged to carry the spouts in a circular path, and wherein the reciprocating tool for picking up the spout members also rotates in a circular path, these two paths being tangent to one another and the said tool picking up a spout member at the point of tangency of such paths.

3. Apparatus for applying spout members to the tops of containers'as set forth in claim 2 in which the mechanism for moving the spouts comprises a pair of rotating discs fixed in superposed relation to one another, the margin of the lower disc serving as a support on which the spouts rest and the upper disc having spaced spoutreceiving notches in its periphery for successively sweeping individual spouts from the feeding mechanism, mechanism for rotating said discs continuously in timed relation to said tool reciprocating mechanism so as to cause said discs successively to pick up individual spouts from said feeding mechanism and carry them beneath cam is such as to impart downward and upward move ments to the respective plungers, as previously described.

The rotating head or plate 103 also mounts the relatively fixed and movable can pocket members 25, 26

said respective reciprocating tools. I

'4. Apparatus for supplying spouts to the tops of containers as set forth in claim 1 in which the tool for picking up individual spout members comprises a body receivedin either -of-said recesses.

S's-Apparatus forsupplying spouts to-the, tops of containers -as'setforth' in-claim 4- wherein at least one of the arcuate-proje'ctions of'the toolfor picking up'the individual spout members-is provided with a spring-pressed radiallyyieldingsegment which frictionally engages the 15' periphery-of the-spout members 7 6: Inapparatus for applying'spout members'to containers, said membershaving each a' projection at'one side-thereof, a supporting structure; means associated with said structure forsupporting a helter-skelt'er mass" of such-members, mechanism forrearrangingsaid spouts comprising a'rotary receptacle having innerand-outer vertical surfacesarranged to form -an-annular space be tween them, a circular row of control'memberst'fixed' to said rotary receptacle and disposed between said "surfaces and'di-vidi-ng; said annularspace into'inner and outer portions, said control membersbeing spacedfrom, oneanother in said row and of a configuration-topermit: spoutsto pass successively betweenthemwhen'the spout" cap-faces'in a---given directiomm'eans for supplying said i spoutmembersen masse-to saidyinner space-portion on" the lOWeF-sideofsaid rotary-receptacle, mechanism for rotating said receptacle about the of said' an'nular space so as to cause'the mass-of spout memb'er s-abovethemselvestopassindividnallybetween the control members intd-saidouter space portion, meansfor suppdrting theispout memb'erswhich have passed into said 7 outer space portion, said means extending at least along-the lower 'periph'eryof said rotary receptacle, said supporting 4 means-havingitherein a downwardly extending discharge; passageway for said spout members, the rotation of said receptacletcausingithespout members-in said outer-space portio'nrto move: towardthe discharge" passageway, and q mechanism adja'cent said passagewayfor brmgmg the, projections on said members into alignment with said passageway to cause'the spout members to befed downwardly 'therethiough with-their projections facing either downwardlyor upwardly.

7.- Apparatus :for applying spout members "to-the tops of :containers as set forth in c1aim 6in which thesup porting'means 'forthe spout members within said-outer space portion'is-made' to slope-downwardly towards the entrance to said discharge passageway, and 'a finger is V mounted for vertical upward anddownward movement adjacent the front of said slopingsurface to engagethe 7 forward portions of the spout'members'onsaid'sloping: surface, one. endofsaidtfihger lying alongside of'saidp discharge "passageway, and mechanism for periodicallyactuatingsaid finger to agitate the spout'members. and break, up any tendency for them to bridge over-the entrance 'of said discharge passageway.

8. Apparatus forapplyin spout'members to the tops ofcontainers' assetfo'rth 'in claim 6 int which 'a'continu'ously rotating rollerismounted at'one sideiofthe entrance of the dischargepassageway; the face" of said roller engaging the: spout members and rotating them as they moveinto the entrance of said passageway so as to *align their; projections with the passageway;

9. Apparatus for applyingspout members'to the tops of containers assetj'forthin claim 7 in which'ithe said finger; is arranged 'on'one side of'the discharge'passage1 engaging the spout members andtserving to rotate them so':as to align their proje'ctions' with said passageway as'theymoveinto the entrance thereto. said control membersm tumble about andarranged References; Cited in the file of thispatent- UNITED STATES 'PATENTS 2,155,958 Schmidt Apr.,25, 1939 22 25,549 Card"' "Dec. 17, 1940 2,604,692 Broden July 29,1952 2,672,837- M'aher' "M2123, 1954 2,728,091 Hoenk Dec; 27; 1955 2,729,833 Nielsen Jan. 10,1956

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2 972,l84 February 21 1961 Charles Andrew It is hereby certified'that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 19, strike out "then second occurrence; column 11, line 35 for "arranged" read arrange Signed and sealed this 4th day of July 1961,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents 

